Summary

Council updates building rules

Foster CitySep 16, 20252 min read

At a glance

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The Council adopted code changes that put the Planning Commission in charge of hearing building appeals and approved a temporary principal building inspector position, while also renewing support for the youth committee and an after-school bus program.

Committees mentioned

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City Council/EMID

Topics discussed

Budget & TaxEducationEnvironmentalHousing

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What this means

The Council changed local building and planning rules so the Planning Commission will handle appeals of building official decisions. It also created a temporary Principal Building Inspector position and approved a pay plan update for fiscal year 2025-2026. Separately, the Council appointed 15 members to the Youth Advisory Committee and approved $22,208 for the After School Activity Bus Program for the 2025-2026 school year.

Key decisions

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Appointed 15 members to the Youth Advisory Committee.
Approved a $22,208 funding agreement for the After School Activity Bus Program.
Adopted Ordinance No. 693 to assign Board of Appeals duties to the Planning Commission for planning-related appeals.
Approved a letter responding to the San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury report, "Will the Next One Leave You High and Dry?"
Adopted Ordinance No. 694 to update Title 15 building and construction rules and designate the Planning Commission as the Board of Appeals.
Received and accepted the Parks System Master Plan general project update.
Adopted Resolution No. 2025-75 and EMID Resolution No. 3820 to add a Principal Building Inspector job description, authorize a temporary hire, and approve the amended pay plan.

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Meeting information

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City Council Regular Meeting

Sep 16, 2025, 1:30 AMCITY OF FOSTER CITY/, ESTERO MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT, FOSTER CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 620 FOSTER CITY BOULEVARDcompleted

Agenda

A Proclamation Recognizing October 2025 as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month”
4.1.
Decision: 4. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
City/EMID Special Meeting Minutes of August 25, 2025
6.1.
Decision: 6. CITY/EMID CONSENT CALENDAR All matters listed under Consent Calendar are considered to be routine by the City Council/EMID Board of Directors and will be enacted by one motion unless removed by a member of the Council/Board, staff, or public. There will be no separate discussion on these items unless a citizen or a Council/Board member so requests. This section includes minutes, ordinances for adoption, resolutions for adoption, and other business as needed. If discussion is required, that item will be removed from the Consent Calendar and will be considered separately after approval of the remaining items on the Consent Calendar. Vote may be by roll call.
City/EMID Regular Meeting Minutes of September 2, 2025
6.2.
Decision: 6. CITY/EMID CONSENT CALENDAR All matters listed under Consent Calendar are considered to be routine by the City Council/EMID Board of Directors and will be enacted by one motion unless removed by a member of the Council/Board, staff, or public. There will be no separate discussion on these items unless a citizen or a Council/Board member so requests. This section includes minutes, ordinances for adoption, resolutions for adoption, and other business as needed. If discussion is required, that item will be removed from the Consent Calendar and will be considered separately after approval of the remaining items on the Consent Calendar. Vote may be by roll call.
An Ordinance of the City of Foster City Amending Section 2.28.090 within Chapter 2.28, “Planning,” of Title 2, “Administration and Personnel” of the Foster City Municipal Code to Add Duties of Board of Appeals to the Planning Commission and Finding the Amendments Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Pursuant to CEQA Guideline Section 15061(B)(3) (First Reading on September 2, 2025) a) Adopt Ordinance
6.3.
Decision: 6. CITY/EMID CONSENT CALENDAR All matters listed under Consent Calendar are considered to be routine by the City Council/EMID Board of Directors and will be enacted by one motion unless removed by a member of the Council/Board, staff, or public. There will be no separate discussion on these items unless a citizen or a Council/Board member so requests. This section includes minutes, ordinances for adoption, resolutions for adoption, and other business as needed. If discussion is required, that item will be removed from the Consent Calendar and will be considered separately after approval of the remaining items on the Consent Calendar. Vote may be by roll call.
A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Approving the After School Activity (ASA) Bus Program Funding Agreement Between the City of Foster City and the San Mateo Union High School District for a Contribution in the Amount of $22,208 to Fund the ASA Bus Program for the 2025-2026 School Year, Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Funding Agreement, and Authorizing an Appropriation in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $22,208 to the Community Benefits Fund, Account No. 005-0110-413-4251, to Fund the Contribution a) Staff Report b) Adopt Resolution
6.4.
Decision: 6. CITY/EMID CONSENT CALENDAR All matters listed under Consent Calendar are considered to be routine by the City Council/EMID Board of Directors and will be enacted by one motion unless removed by a member of the Council/Board, staff, or public. There will be no separate discussion on these items unless a citizen or a Council/Board member so requests. This section includes minutes, ordinances for adoption, resolutions for adoption, and other business as needed. If discussion is required, that item will be removed from the Consent Calendar and will be considered separately after approval of the remaining items on the Consent Calendar. Vote may be by roll call.
By Minute Order, Approve a Letter to the Honorable Donald J. Ayoob of the Superior Court in Response to the San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury Report Dated July 8, 2025, Entitled "Will the Next One Leave You High and Dry?" a) Staff Report
6.5.
Decision: 6. CITY/EMID CONSENT CALENDAR All matters listed under Consent Calendar are considered to be routine by the City Council/EMID Board of Directors and will be enacted by one motion unless removed by a member of the Council/Board, staff, or public. There will be no separate discussion on these items unless a citizen or a Council/Board member so requests. This section includes minutes, ordinances for adoption, resolutions for adoption, and other business as needed. If discussion is required, that item will be removed from the Consent Calendar and will be considered separately after approval of the remaining items on the Consent Calendar. Vote may be by roll call.
A Public Hearing to Hear and Consider Comments Regarding Foster City Municipal Code Amendments to Title 15, “Building and Construction” a) Staff Report b) Open Public Hearing c) Receive Public Testimony d) Close Public Hearing e) Action - Adopt An Ordinance of the City of Foster City Repealing and Replacing Sections 15.02.120, “Means of Appeals” Adopting by Reference and Amending Section 113 of the California Building Code;15.04.110, “Board of Appeals” Adopting by Reference and Amending Section R112 of the California Residential Code; 15.06.080, “Means of Appeals” Adopting by Reference and Amending Section 112 of the California Existing Building Code; 15.08.080, “Board of Appeals” Adopting by Reference and Amending Section 107.0 of the California Mechanical Code; 15.16.070, “Board of Appeals” Adopting by Reference and Amending Section 107.0 of the California Plumbing Code; and Adopting a New Section 15.20.190, “Board of Appeals” within Title 15, “Building and Construction” of the Foster City Municipal Code Adopting by Reference and Amending Section 89.108.8 of the California Electrical Code to Designate the Planning Commission as the Board of Appeals to Hear and Decide Appeals of Decisions Made by the Building Official; and Finding the Amendments Exempt From the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Pursuant to CEQA Guideline Section 15061(B)(3) (First Reading on September 2, 2025)
7.1.
Decision: 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS
Parks System Master Plan General Project Update a) Staff Report b) Action - By Minute Order, Receive and Accept Report
8.1.
Decision: 8. REPORTS
A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Approving the Appointment of Fifteen Members to the Youth Advisory Committee a) Staff Report b) Action – Adopt Resolution
9.1.
Decision: 9. RESOLUTIONS FOR ADOPTION
Consideration of Adding New Job Description of the Principal Building Inspector and Authorizing a Supplemental Appropriation to Hire a Temporary Principal Building Inspector and Approving and Adopting the Amended Pay Plan for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 a) Staff Report b) Action – Adopt A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Adding New Job Description of Principal Building Inspector and Authorizing a Supplemental Appropriation to Hire a Temporary Principal Building Inspector and Approving and Adopting the Amended Pay Plan for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 c) Action – Adopt A Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Estero Municipal Improvement District Adding New Job Description of Principal Building Inspector and Authorizing a Supplemental Appropriation to Hire a Temporary Principal Building Inspector and Approving and Adopting the Amended Pay Plan for Fiscal Year 2025-2026
9.2.
Decision: 9. RESOLUTIONS FOR ADOPTION
City/District Warrants of Demands were Processed and Issued on August 15, 2025, and August 28, 2025 a) Information Item Only b) No Action Required
10.1.
Decision: 10. COMMUNICATIONS
Conference with Legal Counsel—Existing Litigation (Paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9) Name of case: Foster City Marina Center LLC v. City of Foster City, et al. (San Mateo Superior Court Case No. 22 CIV 03526)
12.1.
Decision: 12. CLOSED SESSION
Conference with Legal Counsel—Existing Litigation (Paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9) Name of case: City of Foster City v. Elizabeth Karnazes, et al. (San Mateo Superior Court Case No. 24 CIV 06967)
12.2.
Decision: 12. CLOSED SESSION
Report Out from Closed Session
12.3.
Decision: 12. CLOSED SESSION